How to Choose a Basketball Backboard

When players in the National Basketball Association (NBA) started dunking with such ferocity that they smashed a backboard or two, it led to major changes within the sport. Earlier hoops were bolted directly to the backboard, which meant that any flex in the board could cause it to bend and shatter. Today’s NBA-regulated hoops are more rigid and the backboard is typically made of a transparent material that allows spectators to see the action.

The NBA and Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) require a basketball court that includes a backboard measuring 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. This standard size is ideal for professional and amateur play, offering a challenging target for basketball players of all levels to practice their shooting accuracy and precision.

Use algebra and geometry to calculate the relative probability of making a successful bank shot from different positions on the court, keeping the distance to the basket constant. Plot your data on a graph, separating distance to the center of the basket on the y-axis and angular position on the x-axis. Compare your results to determine if one position offers a better chance of successfully banking the shot.

Lifetime offers a large selection of backboards to meet the needs of all levels of players. Impact backboards are a durable, affordable option for young children just learning to play the game, while Shatterproof Fusion and Acrylic Fusion backboards offer an unbreakable surface that’s perfect for beginning to intermediate basketball players. If you prefer a more sophisticated and durable board, check out the options available for tempered glass backboards.